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Cano returns to lineup, but Nunez sits again

Cano returns to lineup, but Nunez sits again

8/30/13: Robinson Cano grounds a base hit into right field, scoring a pair of Yankees and extending their lead to 7-4 in the fifth inning

By Josh Vitale
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano was back in the Yankees lineup Friday after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised left hand, playing second base and batting third against the Orioles.

He bruised the Orioles' pitching staff in his first game back, too, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Cano suffered the injury after getting hit by a pitch from Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ in the first inning of Tuesday's game. Precautionary X-rays taken on Tuesday were negative.

Manager Joe Girardi said before the game that there was a chance Cano could be taken out of the lineup if he didn't get through batting practice without issue. But Cano said he felt good after taking batting practice and his hand didn't seem to be an issue during the game.

"When your team makes a lineup, the last thing you want is missing guys," Cano said before Friday's 8-5 victory over the Orioles. "Hopefully I'll be able to play today and it's just one day [missed]. Good thing it was nothing worse than that."

Infielder Eduardo Nunez was also injured in Tuesday's game, twisting his knee while trying to field a ground ball after replacing Cano at second base. Nunez sat out on Wednesday did not play on Friday, but said he expected to be available for the Yankees if they needed him.

"I think I can play today if they need me," Nunez said. "And help."

Cano is batting .307 with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs this season. Nunez is hitting .248 with one home run, 20 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Josh Vitale is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.